Magnetic door catch



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SePt- 28 1954 M. o. TEEToR 2,690,348

MAGNETIC DOOR CATCH Filed Sept. 16, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l V////{//ZJII@1 l L 3Q 37 30 l 2Q 35 4454353543 2J z QZ gg 35,- INVENTOR. g @gy 0Tee/ZE?? Sept. 28, 1954 M- Q TEETOR 2,690,348

MAGNETIC DOOR CATCH Filed Sept. 16, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 SePt- 28, 1954M. o. TEEToR 2,690,348

MAGNETIC DOOR CATCH Flled Septy 16, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Sept.Z8, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MAGNETIC DOOR CATCH Macy O. Teetor,New Orleans, La.

Application September 16, 1949, Serial No. 115,993

18 Claims. 1

This invention relates to a device for retaining a closure member inclosed position by magnetic attraction and more particularly to amagnetic catch adapted for use on a cabinet door.

It is common experience that after a period of use the various componentparts of a cabinet, such as the cabinet frame, shelves, Walls, anddoors, tend to become misaligned as a result of sagging or warping eventhough the cabinet parts were in perfect alignment and adjustment whenoriginally installed. Such relative misalignment interferes seriouslywith the satisfactory operation of the usual type of cabinet latch inwhich one latch element is secured to the door and is adapted to engagemechanically a companion latch element secured to the cabinet frame orshelf. The resultant sticking of the door in closed position or theinability of the door to close due to improper contact between the latchelements can usually be corrected only by removing one or both latchelements and remounting them in properly aligned positions.

Various attempts have previously been made to incorporate magnets incabinet door latches in order to utilize magnetic attractive forces as ameans ci retaining a door in closed position. However, in most of theprior magnetic latches the several latch elements have been rigidlymounted, and in no case has any provision been made to compensate formisalignment of the cabinet parts resulting from sagging or warping. Inthe case of a magnetic latch or catch, improper relative alignment ofthe cabinet parts results in faulty registry between the coactingsurfaces of the latch magnet and its cooperating armature or companionmagnet element, and consequently little or none of the availablemagnetic force is utilized in retaining the door in closed position. Themagnetic latches and catches heretofore proposed are, therefore, subjectto the same defects and disadvantages in this respect as theconventional non-magnetic latches.

Another difficulty encountered in the development of a satisfactorymagnetic latch is the problem of protecting the magnet element fromsevere impact upon slamming of the cabinet door or other closure member.The most satisfactory materials for use in permanent magnets are themagnetic metals or alloys thereof comprising primarily iron, nickel, andcobalt in various combinations and proportions well known to the art.However, many of these alloys are eX- ceedingly brittle and have lowimpact resistance. Thus, certain of the magnetic latches previouslysuggested cannot readily utilize magnets formed from these desirablealloys because the magnet element or elements of 'the latch are adaptedto undergo direct striking contact with another element which contactwould be likely to shatter or chip the magnet. In other cases,relatively elaborate and complex provisions have been made to cushion orlessen the shock of impact when the magnetic latch is operated byclosing of the cabinet door. Obviously, it would be desirable to employalloy magnets in a magnetic latch without the necessity for additionalexpensive cushioning devices for protecting the magnets from the shockof impact.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel magneticcatch which is easily manufactured and installed and which is notsubject to the above-mentioned objections.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel magnetic doorcatch that will operate efiiciently at all times to retain a cabinetdoor in closed position and to permit easy opening thereof even thoughthe various parts of the cabinet structure, such as the frame, walls,door or shelves, should become warped or otherwise misaligned relativeto each other.

A further obj ect of the invention is to provide a novel magnetic catchfor cabinet doors and the like in which a permanent magnet and acooperating armature are mounted in self-adjusting coacting positions ona door and its adjacent structure so as to be capable of flatwiseengagement with each other even though the door and the adjacentstructure become misaligned or out of adjustment.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a magnetic doorcatch for use on a cabinet door and the like in which a permanentdisktype magnet is resiliently and loosely mounted for limited lateraland angular movement with respect to its support whereby to permitcoacting engagement between the magnet and a cooperating armature eventhough the door and the adjacent structure to which the catch elementsare secured may occupy non-parallel and misaligned positions.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel magneticcatch for a cabinet door and the like in which a permanent magnetretains the door in closed position by engagement with a cooperatingarmature and in which the magnet is so mounted with respect to itssupporting structure that direct striking contact between the armatureand the magnet is avoided when the door is moved into a closed positionwith great speed and force.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will become app-arent fromthe subsequent description thereof and from the accompanying drawing, inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a cabinet provided with a magneticdoor catch comprising one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the magnet unit of themagnetic catch shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional View taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 1looking upwardly in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional View through the magnetic catchillustrated in 1 and showing the cabinet door in closed position withthe elements of the catch in coacting engagement:

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 5 butshowing the cabinet door in warped or misaligned position with respectto the cabinet frame and showing the manner in which the magnet elementadjusts itself to permit flatwise engagement of the catch elements inspite of misalignrnent of the supporting structure;

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a cabinet cornershowing a magnet unit comprising a modified form of the magnetic catchof my invention;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged rear elevational view of the magnet unit shown inFig. 7;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged front elevational view of the magnet unitillustrated in Fig. '7 and showing the manner of assembling the parts ofthe unit;

Fig. 10 is an end view of the magnet unit as viewed .from the right inFig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line of Fig. 7 looking inthe direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the cabinetdoor in closed position with the elements of the catch in coactingengagement;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the upper portion ofa cabinet frame having mounted. thereon a magnet unit comprising stillanother modication of the magnetic catch of my invention;

Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the magnet unit shown in Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line |5-|5 ofFig. 13 looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows and. showing afragmentary portion of a cabinet door in closed position with theelements of the catch in coacting engagement; and

Fig. 16 is a plan view of a sheet metal blank adapted to be folded toform the magnet housing of the magnet unit shown in Figs. 13 to 15.

The magnetic catch of my invention comprises generally a magnet elementand a cooperating armature element, one of which is adapted to besecured to a closure member such as a cabinet door and the other ofwhich is adapted to be secured in coacting position on an adjacentstructure such as a door frame, cabinet wall, or cabinet shelf. One orthe other of the catch elements is resiliently mounted for limitedlateral movement towards its companion element and also for limitedangular or twisting movement relative to its support thereby permittingthe movably mounted element to adjust its position automatically foratwise coacting engagement with the other element when the closuremember and adjacent structure are in non-parallel, misaligned positionsrelative to each other.

Referring first to Fig. 1 of the drawing, a storage cabinet is showncomprising a door 2| hingedly secured at one edge thereof to a cabinetframe having upright stiles or side portions 22, a sill or base 23, anda top portion 24. The cabinet is provided with a magnetic catchembodying the features of my invention and consisting of a magnet unit26 mounted in the upper right-hand corner of the cabinet frame and acooperating armature unit 2T affixed adjacent the upper outside cornerof the inner face of the door 2|. The armature and magnet units are thusmounted in coacting positions on the door and cabinet frame,respectively, so that the armature unit 21 engages the magnet unit 26when the door 2| is in closed position against the cabinet frame.

Although as shown in. the drawing, the magnet unit is secured to thecabinet frame and the armature unit is secured to the cabinet door, itis within the scope of my invention to reverse the positions of the twounits, i. e., to mount the armature unit on the cabinet structure andthe magnet unit on the door. Also, it is to be understood that the twocooperating units may be mounted in any desired coacting positions onthe door and the cabinet structure and may also be put to related uses.For example, the magnet unit 26 could be mounted adjacent the outerstile 22, or the sill 23, or on a shelf extending horizontally betweenthe Stiles 22, with the armature unit 21 being mounted at anyappropriate coacting location on the inner vertical face of the door 2|.In this connection, the term "frame member is used broadly in thespecification and claims to include any cooperating portion of thecabinet structure such as the walls or shelves as distinguished from thecabinet door.

Referring now to Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, the magnet unit 26 of thedevice is shown as comprising an elongated magnet housing or bodyportion, indicated generally at 28, having a mounting flange 23 alongone edge thereof, a centrally located aperture or socket portion 30extending inwardly from the front face of the housing for receiving amagnet element, and a peripheral protecting rim 3| for preventing directstriking impact against the magnet element of the device, as hereinafterdescribed in detail. The housing 28 is rigidly aixed to the lower faceof the top portion 24 of the cabinet frame by means of a pair of screws32 extending upwardly through a pair of edgewise slots or openings 33 inthe flange 29. The openings 33 extend inwardly a substantial distancefrom the rear edge of the flange 29 to permit the magnet unit 26 to beadjusted to proper position adjacent the edge of the cabinet frame whenbeing mounted.

The magnet housing 28 is formed from a nonmagnetic material such asbrass, zinc, aluminum, or a suitable plastic. A magnet element in theform of a relatively thick, round disk-type permanent magnet 34 isdisposed loosely within the socket 3|) which is open and unobstructed atthe front face of the housing 28. The socket 3a is also provided with adiametric slot 35 extending axially from the bottom thereof to the frontface of the housing 28. The magnet 34 is formed from a magnetic metal oralloy, such as the alloy of iron, aluminum, cobalt, and nickelcommercially available under the trade-mark Alnico I prefer that themagnetization of the disk-type magnet 34 be crosswise or in other wordsparallel to a diameter of the magnet so that the north polarity will beconcentrated at one point on the periphery of the magnet and the southpolarity at a diametrically opposite point on the periphery. This formof magnetization combines maximum magnetic strength with magneticpermanency for a given disk. However, it is within the scope of theinvention to employ a disk-type magnet having its magnetizationdifferently oriented with respect to the periphery of the magnet, Forexample, it is possible to so magnetize a disk-type magnet that onepolarity is substantially at the axial center of the magnet with theother polarity being concentrated around the periphery of the magnet.

In addition, the diameter of the magnet 34 is slightly less than theinternal diameter of the socket 3l] whereby to provide an annularclearance 36 between the periphery of the magnet and the interior of thesocket of sufficient extent to permit the magnet 34 to assume a cockedor angular position therein, as shown in Fig. 6 and hereinafterdescribed in greater detail. The bottom of the socket 30 is providedwith a domeshaped projection 31 upon which the magnet 34 rests when inretracted position, and the depth of the socket 30 is such as to permitthe full axial height of the magnet 3'4 to be fully enclosed by thesocket 39 and to be protected thereby when in normal retracted position,as shown for example in Fig. 4.

The outer end face of the magnet 34 is provided with a diametric grooveor slot 38 which is preferably so oriented with respect to themagnetization of the magnet that the groove or slot in effect dividesthe magnet into pole pieces or legs of opposite polarity therebyapproximating a horseshoe-type magnet. An elongated bar spring 39,formed from a suitable resilient and non-magnetic material such asphosphorusbronze spring wire, is disposed lengthwise within alongitudinal channel 4| in the housing 28 and extends through the slot35 in the socket 39 and through the groove 38 in the magnet 34. The endsof the bar spring 39 are received within the interior of the housing 28in abutment with a pair of shoulder portions 42 formed therein, and theintermediate portion of the spring 39 directly engages the magnet 34within the groove 38 whereby the magnet is normally retained in aretracted position in contact with the projection 31 at the bottom ofthe socket 353. Thus, it will be seen that the intermediate portion ofthe spring 39 is free to move transversely within the channel 4| from anormal retracted position, as shown in Fig. 4, to an outwardly bowed orextended position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, thereby permitting outwardresilient movement of the magnet 34 in the direction of and through theopen end of the socket 30.

The armature unit 21 comprises a flat centrally apertured circularwasher 43 formed from a magnetic metal such as iron or steel and havingapproximately the same or a slightly larger diameter than the disk-typemagnet 34. The washer 43 is secured to the inner face of the door 2| bymeans of a screw 44 having its head portion recessed within the washer43 whereby to present a smooth armature surface for natwise engagementwith the magnet 34 upon outward movement of the latter under theinfluence of the magnetic attractive forces therebetween. The force ofthe magnetic attraction between the magnet 34 and the washer 43 isgreater than the tension exerted by the spring 39 thus permittingoutward movement of the magnet 34 and its engagement with the washer 43'when the door 2| is closed. However, when the door 2| is in openposition away from the cabinet frame, the magnetic forces between themagnet 34 and the washer 43 are broken and the spring 39 retracts themagnet 34 into the socket portion 3U of the housing 28.

In its normal retracted position, the magnet 34 is thus retained withinthe socket portion 30 of the housing 28 in abutment with the bottomprojection 37 by means of the resilient action of the bar spring 39, asshown in Fig. 4. However, as the cabinet door 2| approaches a closedposition when being moved at a normal rate of closure, the magnet 34 iscaused by magnetic attraction to move outwardly from the housing 28 withthe grooved front end of the magnet projecting through the front openingof the socket portion 30 into flatwise engagement with the armatureelement or washer 43. This engagement between the magnet 34 and thewasher 43 occurs an instant before the door 2| reaches its finallyclosed position against the cabinet frame, and continued movement of thedoor 2| thereafter to nally closed position is accomplished solely bythe action of the bar spring 39 which is placed under tension as aresult of outward movement of the magnet 34. As shown in Fig. 5, whenthe door 2| is in fully closed position, the spring 39 is still bowedoutwardly thereby urging the magnet 34 inwardly of the housing 2S andthereby resiliently retaining the door 2| in closed position adjacentthe cabinet frame. When the door 2| is opened the spring 39, having itsends retained by the shoulders 42 and being in direct contact with thegrooved portion 38 of the magnet 34, serves to break the contact betweenthe magnet 34 and the washer 43 thereby disrupting the magnetic bondholding the door in closed position.

Although the armature element (i3 is illustrated in the drawing as aflat washer, it is apparent that other suitable forms could be employedwith equal success. The terms "armature element, armature unit, orarmature as used herein and in the appended claims are also intended toinclude the use of a companion magnet element as well as merely anon-magnetiaed but magnetically permeable member.

Fig. 6 of the drawing illustrates the self-adjusting feature of myinvention whereby perfect alignment between the catch elements isobtained even though the cabinet door and its adjacent structure mayhave become misaligned as a result of warping or other causes. As shownin Fig. 6, the door 2| is warped or bulged outwardly to a slight extentat its central portion and fails to engage the horizontal top portion 24of the cabinet frame along a substantial portion of its normal contactedge. However, be cause the magnet 34 is loosely and resiliently mountedwithin the socket portion 3|] of the housing 28, angular or twistingmovement of the magnet 34 occurs within the annular clearance space 36whereby to permit iiatwise engagement between the outer end of themagnet 34 and the armature 43. Moreover, if the cabinet door structureshould become misaligned in a vertical plane (not illustrated in thedrawing), a corresponding angular or cocked movement of the magnet 34will likewise occur as a result of the annular clearance 33 whereby tocompensate for the misalignment. Hence, the magnetic forces in my deviceare utilized to their fullest extent at all times, the self-adjustingfeature of the magnet element compensating for all types of misalignmentbetween the door 2| and the cooperating cabinet frame work. It isapparent that if the magnet element were rigidly mounted and suchmisalignment should occur, the strength of the magnetic attractionbetween the magnet and armature elements would be seriously diminishedas a result of the space or gap therebetween.

Another important feature of my invention is the provision of theprotective rim 3| at the front face of the housing 28 adjacent the endportions thereof. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 5, the magnet housing 28is secured to the top portion 24 of the cabinet frame with theprotective rim 3| at each end of the housing substantially in flushalignment with the outer edge of the cabinet frame. The depth of the rim3| is slightly greater than the thickness of the washer 43 so that whenthe door 2| is in closed posi tion, as seen in Fig. 5, the necessaryspace will be provided for receiving the washer 43 and the spring 39Will always be under tension thereby insuring proper functioning of thecatch and avoiding looseness and. rattling of the closed door. Inaddition, the depth of the rim 3| is such that the armature element 43cannot strike against the outer face of the housing 28 when the door 2|is slammed to closed position. Moreover, the magnet 34 is furtherprotected by the fact that the depth of the socket 39 is greater thanthe axial height of the magnet 34 so that when the magnet is in normallyretracted position adjacent the projection 31, the outer end of themagnet is slightly recessed below the front face of the housing 28, asseen in Fig. 4. It is apparent that when the door 2| is closed rapidlyand with considerable force, the door will reach a fully closed positionbefore the magnet 34 can move outwardly. As previously explained, themagnetic alloys are in most cases quite brittle and low in impactresistance, and as a result of these properties precautions must betaken to avoid forceful contact between the permanent magnet and itsarmature element. By providing a protective rim 3| around portions ofthe magnet housing 28 and by recessing the magnet 34 from the front faceof the housing, I have been able to eliminate this source of dimcultywithout the need for expensive and complicated cushioning mechanisms andat the same time without sacricing eflicienoy, self-adjustment, or easeof operation of the catch.

When the cabinet door 2| is moved at a normal rate of closure to a shutposition, the magnet 34 must rst move outwardly in order to engage thearmature element 43 as the door approaches shut position, and then thebar spring 39 which is thus placed under tension restores the magnet 34to its normal inward or retracted position within the housing whereby tocomplete the closing of the door and whereby to retain the same inclosed position. On the other hand, if

the cabinet door is closed with a hard slamming action, there is nodanger of severe impact between the magnet 34 and the armature 43inasmuch as the magnet 34 is normally retained in its inward position bythe spring 39 and the door 2| will first forcibly engage the protectiverim 3|, the outer contact edge of which is spaced forwardly from thefront face of the magnet housing. Thereafter, the magnet 34 must moveoutwardly to engage the armature 43 but only after the force of theslamming movement of the door has been expended against the rim 3|.

In Figs. 7 to 12, inclusive, I have shown a slightly differentembodiment of the magnetic catch of my invention which is particularlyadapted for corner installations. Thus, the magnet unit, indicatedgenerally at 5| in Fig. 7, has a generally triangular configuration andmay be mounted, for example, at the upper outer corner of a cabinetframe such as defined by a top member 52 and an upright stile or sideportion 53. It will be understood that a cooperating` armature element(Fig. 12) is mounted in coacting position on the cabinet door in thesame manner as described in connection with Figs. 1 to 6.

The magnet unit 5| comprises a generally triangular' housing or bodyportion 54 having a cylindrical socket portion 56 extending inwardlyfrom the front face thereof and also having rearwardly extendingperipheral anges or side walls 51 along two sides thereof. The sidewalls 51 are provided with a pair of edgewise openings or slots 58 forrigidly aixing the housing 54 to the cabinet frame by means of screws orthe like. As in the rst embodiment of the invention, the slots 58 extenda substantial distance into the side walls 51 in order to permit themagnet unit to be adjusted to the proper position when being mountedadjacent the front edge of the cabinet frame. Also, the housing 54 isformed from a non-magnetic material such as brass, zinc, aluminum, orV

a suitable plastic.

A disk-type magnet 59 is loosely disposed in the socket 55 and isrockably supported on a domeshaped projection 6| at the bottom of thesocket 56 when the magnet 59 is in normally retracted position, as seenin Fig. 11. The side walls of the socket 56 are sloped outwardly towardthe front face of the housing 54 (Figs. 11 and 12). and the internaldiameter of the socket 56 is slightly greater than the diameter of themagnet 59 whereby to provide an annular clearance 62 around the magnetof sufficient extent to permit the magnet to assume an angular or cockedposition within the socket 56. Moreover, the socket 56 is of suicientdepth with respect to the axial height of the magnet 59 to permit theinagnet to be fully enclosed by the housing 54 when in normal retractedposition abutting the projection 6|, as seen in Fig. 11.

The forward face of the magnet 59 is grooved diametrically, as at 63,and an elongated bar spring 64 is disposed lengthwise within the housing54 and extends through a pair of enlarged apertures 66 disposeddiametrically in the side walls of the socket 55 adjacent the front faceof the housing 54 and also through the groove 63 in the front face ofthe magnet 59. The ends of the spring 64 are retained in coactingengagement with a pair of shoulder portions 61 formed on the interior ofthe housing 54, the intermediate portion of the spring B4 extendingthrough the enlarged apertures 66 and the magnet groove 63 thereby beingfree to move transversely from a normal retracted position of the magnet59 (Fig. 11) to an outwardly extended position of the magnet, as seen inFig. 12. The apertures 66 are of sufficient size to permit transversemovement of the bar spring 64 therein as the magnet 59 moves back andforth between retracted and extended positions. As in the firstdescribed form of the invention, the bar spring 64 is formed from asuitable resilient and non-magnetic material such as phosphorus-bronzespring wire.

' It will be apparent that the operation of this form of the inventionis similar to the operation of the form shown in Figs. 1 to 6. Thus, themagnet 59 is normally retained by the bar spring 64, which is in directcoacting engagement therewith, in retracted position adjacent theabutment 6| at the bottom of the socket 56. When the cabinet door,indicated at 65 in Fig. 12 and having a suitable armature element suchas a washer 58 affixed thereto, approaches closed position, the magnet59 moves outwardly from the housing 54 by magnetic attraction intoatwise engagement with the armature element, as seen in Fig. 12.Thereafter, final closing movement of the cabinet door is effected bymeans of the resilient action of the bar spring 64 which en gages thebottom of the groove 53 in the magnet 59 and urges the latter inwardlyof the housing 54. Thus, the cabinet door is resiliently retained inclosed position adjacent the cabinet frame work by means of the tensionof the bar spring 64. Upon opening of the door 65, the direct engagementof the spring 64 intermediate its retained ends with the grooved portion93 of the magnet 59 functions to break the magnetic contact between themagnet and the armature elements.

Although not shown in the drawing, it Will be apparent that theprovision of the annular clearance space 62 between the magnet 59 andthe socket 56, together with the outwardly sloping side walls of thesocket 55, results in the same self-adjusting features of the device asdescribed in connection with the rst form of the invention whereby themagnet 59 can assume a cocked or angular position in any plane tocompensate for misalignment of the cabinet door or its adjacentstructure due to warping or other causes.

In this form of the invention also, the housing 54 is provided with aprotective rim 69 extending along the walls 51 at the front face of thehousing in order to avoid direct striking contact between the magnet andthe armature upon forceful closing of the cabinet door. The depth of therim 69 is slightly greater than the thickness of the washer 68 wherebyto provide space for the latter and to insure tensioning of the springwhen the door is closed. In addition, the depth of the rim 69 issuflicient so that the armature element 68 on the cabinet door cannotstrike against the outer face of the housing 54 when the door is slammedto closed position. The magnet 59 is further protected by thearrangement, hereinbefore described, of the socket 56 which is ofgreater depth than the axial dimension of the magnet 59 so that themagnet is slightly recessed from the front face of the housing when innormal retracted position.

In Fig. 9 I have illustrated the method of assembling the componentparts of the magnet unit First, the magnet 59 is dropped into the socket56 of the housing 54 with the grooved end of the magnet facingoutwardly. The bar spring is then inserted lengthwise, as shown inbroken lines at 1|, through an aperture 12 provided at one corner of thetriangular housing 54. The spring is pushed inwardly through the groove63 in the magnet 59 and through the aligned apertures 68 in the wallsIof the socket 56 and nally through the screw slot 58 at the oppositeside of the housing 54 to the position shown in dotted lines at 13 inFig. 9. The end of the spring 64 which projects outwardly from the screwslot 58 is then pushed backwardly until the end of the spring dropswithin the hous- 10 ing and is received on the internal shoulder portion61.

In Figs. 13 to 16, inclusive, there is illustrated still anothermodication of the magnetic catch of my invention. This form of theinvention differs primarily from the forms shown in Figs. 1 to 12 inthat a helical or coil spring is employed instead of an elongated barspring and a horseshoe magnet is utilized instead of a disk-type magnet.Furthermore, whereas the magnet housings 28 and 54 in the previouslydescribed forms are particularly adapted to be fabricated by casting orinjection molding techniques, the magnet housing of the form of theinvention shown in Figs. 13 to 16 is formed integrally from a sheetmetal blank by suitable cutting, stamping, and folding operations.

To this end, the magnet housing of the device, indicated generally at16, is formed from an integral one-piece blank of non-magnetic sheetmetal by folding the latter along the dotted lines indicated in Fig. 16whereby to provide a bottom portion 11, upright side portions 19, a rearwall 19, and a top portion 8|. A rigid retaining member in the form ofan upstanding tongue 82 is bent upwardly adjacent the front edge of thebottom 11, and the outer end portion thereof, indicated at 83, extendsthrough an aperture 84 in the top 8l and is bent over for holding thelatter in place when the magnet unit is completely assembled. Inaddition, a pair of laterally projecting ears 86 are provided adjacentthe side portions 18 for mounting the housing 15. In Fig. 13 the housing16 is illustrated as mounted on a horizontal top portion 81 of a cabinetframe by means of a pair of screws 88 extending upwardly through a pairof elongated apertures 69 provided in the ears 66.

A horseshoe-type magnet, indicated generally at 9|, comprising a pair ofspaced pole pieces or legs 92 and a transverse connecting portion 93 isloosely disposed within the housing 19 with the legs 92 thereofextending toward the open front portion of the housing on either side ofthe tongue 82. A coil or helical spring 94 is disposed between the legs92 of the magnet 9| in operative engagement with the tongue 92 and theconnecting portion 93 of the magnet whereby the magnet 9| is normallyurged inwardly of the housing 16 to retracted position, as shown in Fig.14. In Fig. 15 the magnet 9| is shown in extended position, the spring94 being compressed and the legs 92 projecting beyond the front of thehousing 16 into flatwise engagement with an armature plate 96 fastenedto a closure member or door 91 by means of a pair of screws 93. Uponopening of the door 91, the collapsed spring 94 serves to break themagnetic contact between the magnet 9| and the armature plate 96.

As in the two previous forms of the invention, the magnet unit 9| isarranged for angular or twisting movement within the housing 16 in orderto compensate for warping or misalignment of the cabinet frame or door.Thus, the length of the housing 16 is greater than the width of themagnet 9| (Figs. 13 to 15) whereby to permit twisting or cooking of themagnet in a horizontal plane, and also the vertical height of thehousing 16 is greater than the thickness of the magnet 9| in order topermit cooking movement in a vertical plane.

. In the present form of the invention, protection of the magnet 9|against direct striking contact with the armature element 96 is providedby making the housing 16 of greater depth than the short dimension ofthe magnet 9| so that when the magnet is in normal retracted position,as shown in Fig. 14, the pole pieces 92 are completely recessed withinthe housing 16 and protected thereby. In addition, the transverse ears85 extend forwardly beyond the front edge of the housing 16, as seenmost clearly at 9S in Fig. 14, in order to provide a guide for mountingthe housing in recessed relation with respect to the edge of the cabinetframe. It will be apparent that if the front edges of the extendedportions 99 0f the ears 8G are substantially aligned with the outer edgeof the cabinet frame during mounting of the device, the front of thehousing 16 will then be recessed a slight distance inwardly from thefront of the cabinet frame and thereby provide further protection forthe magnet in a manner somewhat similar to the peripheral protectiverims described hereinbefore in connection with Figs. 1 to 12.

Although the invention has been described in detail herein in connectionwith certain specific embodiments, it will be understood that variousmodiiications and equivalent structures may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention as dened in the appendedclaims.

I claim:

1. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing, a permanentmagnet element loosely disposed in said housing for outward movementtherefrom, said magnet element having an elongated groove adjacent itsouter end, and an elongated one-piece bar spring extending through saidgroove in said magnet element in direct contact with the latter, saidspring having its end portions received within the interior of saidhousing in coacting engagement therewith whereby said magnet element isnormally retained in retracted position within said housing by theresilient action of said spring.

2. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the

combination of a magnet housing, a permanent magnet loosely disposed insaid housing for outward movement therefrom, said magnet having anelongated narrow groove extending across its outer face, and anelongated one-piece bar spring having a diameter only slightly less thansaid groove and extending through the latter in closefitting relationtherein and in direct contact with the magnet, said spring having itsend portions received in coacting engagement within said housing fornormally urging the magnet inwardly of said housing but permitting saidoutward movement thereof, and said groove permitting the magnet to rockabout the spring as a pivot.

3. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing, a disk-typepermanent magnet loosely disposed in said housing for outward movementtherefrom, said magnet having a diametric groove at its front facethereby dividing the front end of the magnet into pole pieces ofopposite polarity, and an elongated one-piece bar spring extendingthrough said groove in said magnet in direct contact with the latter,said spring having its end portions received within the interior of saidhousing in coacting engagement therewith whereby said magnet is normallyretained in retracted position within said housing by the resilientaction of said spring.

4. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing having a socketportion extending inwardly from the front face thereof for receiving amagnet element, a permanent magnet element loosely disposed in saidsocket portion for outward movement therefrom, and elongated one-piecebar spring means extending through said socket portion in directcoacting engagement with said magnet element and with the interior ofsaid housing for normally urging said magnet element inwardly of saidsocket portion but permitting resilient outward movement thereof.

5. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing having a socketportion extending inwardly from the front face thereof for receiving amagnet element, an upstanding projection at the bottom of said socketportion for supporting a magnet element, a permanent magnet elementloosely disposed in said socket portion for outward movement therefrom,and an elongated one-piece bar spring in direct coacting engagement withsaid magnet element and with the interior of said housing for normallyretaining said magnet element inwardly of said socket portion inabutment with said projection but permitting resilient outward movementof said magnet element.

6. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing having a socketportion of circular cross-section extending inwardly from the front faceof said housing for receiving a magnet element, a disk-type permanentmagnet loosely disposed in said socket portion for outward movementtherefrom, said magnet having a smaller diameter than the internaldiameter of said socket portion whereby to provide an annular clearancebetween said magnet and the wall of said socket portion for permittinglimited twisting movement of the magnet therein, and an elongatedone-piece bar spring in direct coacting engagement with the interior ofsaid housing and with said magnet for normally urging the latterinwardly of said socket portion but permitting resilient outwardmovement thereof.

7. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of an elongated magnet housing havinga central socket portion extending inwardly from the front face of saidhousing for receiving a magnet element, a disk-type permanent magnetloosely disposed in said socket portion for outward movement therefrom,and an elongated one-piece bar spring extending longitudinally withinsaid housing and having its end portions in engagement with the interiorof said housing and its central portion in direct engagement with saidmagnet for normally urging said magnet inwardly of said socket portionbut permitting resilient outward movement thereof.

S. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of an elongated magnet housing ofnon-magnetic material having a central opening extending inwardly fromthe front face of the housing for receiving a magnet element, a disktypepermanent magnet loosely disposed within said opening for outwardmovement therefrom, said magnet having a diametric groove extendingacross its front face, retaining means integral with said housing forsupporting said magnet in retracted position in said opening, and anelongated one-piece bar spring'of non-magnetic material disposedlongitudinally within said housing and extending through said groove inthe front face of the magnet, said spring having its end portions incoacting engagement with the interior of said housing whereby saidmagnet is normally urged inwardly of said opening against said retainingmeans by the resilient action of said spring in engagement with thegrooved portion of the magnet.

9. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing, a permanentmagnet element loosely disposed in said housing for outward movementtherefrom, a unitary onepiece spring member in direct coactingengagement with said housing and said magnet element for` normallyurging the latter inwardly of said housing but permitting said outwardmovement thereof, and a protective rim adjacent at least a portion ofthe periphery of said housing at the front face thereof for preventingdirect striking contact between said magnet element and a cooperatingarmature element.

10. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andamature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a generally triangular magnethousing adapted to be rigidly aiiixed at a corner portion of a framemember, said housing having a socket portion extending inwardly from thefront face thereof for receiving a magnet element, a permanent magnetelement loosely disposed in said socket portion for outward movementtherefrom, and an elongated one-piece bar spring in direct coactingengagement with said magnet element and with the interior of saidhousing for normally urging said magnet element inwardly of said socketportion but permitting resilient outward movement thereof.

1l. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a generally triangular magnethousing adapted to be rigidly aflixed at a corner portion of a framemember, said housing having a centrally located socket portion ofcircular cross-section extending inwardly from the front face thereoffor receiving a magnet element, said socket portion having a pair ofenlarged apertures diametrically disposed in the side walls thereof andadjacent the front face of said housing, a disk-type permanent magnetloosely disposed in said socket portion for outward movement therefrom,said magnet having a diametric groove extending across the front facethereof, and an elongated one-piece bar spring disposed lengthwisewithin said housing and extending through said apertures and throughsaid groove in said magnet, the end portions of said spring beingretained by engagement with the interior of said housing for normallyurging said magnet inwardly of said socket portion by the resilientaction of said spring in engagement with the grooved portion of saidmagnet.

12. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a generally triangular magnethousing adapted to be rigidly affixed at a corner portion of a framemember, said housing having a centrally disposed socket portion ofcircular cross-section extending inwardly from the front face of thehousing for receiving a magnet element, said socket portion having itsside walls sloping outwardly toward the front face of the housing, adisk-type permanent magnet loosely disposed within said socket portionfor outward movement therefrom, the internal diameter of said socketportion being greater than the diameter of said magnet whereby toprovide an annular clearance between said magnet and said socketportion, and an elongated one-piece bar spring in direct coactingengagement with said magnet and with the interior of said housing fornormally retaining said magnet inwardly of said socket portion butpermitting outward resilient movement thereof, said annular clearanceand the outwardly sloping side walls of said socket portion permittingsaid magnet to assume an angular position relative to said socketportion.

13. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a generally triangular magnethousing adapted to be rigidly affixed at a corner portion of a framemember, said housing having a centrally located socket portion ofcircular cross-section extending inwardly from the front face thereoffor receiving a magnet element, said socket portion having a pair ofenlarged apertures diametrically disposed in the side walls thereof andadjacent the front face of said housing, a disk-type permanent magnetloosely disposed in said socket portion for outward movement therefrom,said magnet having a diametric groove extending across the front facethereof, and an elongated one-piece bar spring disposed lengthwisewithin said housing and extending through said apertures and throughsaid groove in said magnet, the end portions of said spring beingretained by engagement with the interior of said housing for normallyurging said magnet inwardly of said socket portion by the resilientaction of said spring in engagement with the grooved portion of saidmagnet, and said housing being provided with aperture means adjacent onecorner thereof for inserting said barspring into saidA housing andthrough said enlarged apertures in said socket portion during assemblyof the device.

14. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing, a permanentmagnet element having a pair of spaced.` poles and being looselydisposed in said housing for outward movement therefrom, and a unitaryonepiece spring member in direct coacting engagement with` said housingand with said magnet element between the poles of thelatter for normallyurging the magnet element inwardly ofsaid housing but permitting saidoutward movement thereof by magnetic attraction.

15; In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in-closedfpositionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet and'armature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing, a permanentmagnet element loosely disposed in said housing for outward movementtherefrom, and. a coil spring indirect coacting engagement at` itsopposite ends with said housing and with said magnet element wherebysaid magnet element is normally retained in retracted position withinsaid housing byfthe action of said spring.

16. In a magnetic catch for holding a closure member in closed positionadjacent a frame member and including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing, said housinghaving an open front portion with an upright rigid retaining memberdisposed centrally thereof, a permanent horseshoe magnet looselydisposed in said housing for outward movement therefrom, said magnethaving its leg portions disposed on opposite sides of said retainingmember and extending toward the open front of said housing, and a coilspring in operative engagementv with 16 said retaining member and`with*A said magnet intermediate the leg portions of the latter fornormally urging said magnet inwardly of said housing..

17. Ina magnetic catch for holding a closure member inclosecl` positionadjacent a frame member a'nd including a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements one of which is movable under magnetic attractiontoward the other, the combination of a magnet housing, a permanenthorseshoemagnet loosely disposed in said housing for outward movementtherefrom, and, a coil spring in direct operative, engagement with saidhousing and' with saidz magnet for urging the latter inwardly of saidhousing but permitting outward movement. thereof by magnetic attraction,saidhousing being of slightly greater internal dimensions than saidmagnet whereby to provide clearance between said magnet and the Walls ofsaid housing thereby permitting twisting movement of` said magnetrelative to said housing inboth horizontal and vertical planes.

18. In a magnetic catchy having a pair of cooperating magnet andarmature elements adapted to hold a closure member in closed positionadjacent. aA frame member with one of said elements being movable undermagnetic attraction toward the other of said elements,` the combinationof a housing having saidl one element loosely disposed therein foroutward' movement therefrom, aA pair of spaced leg portionson said oneelement, and a unitary one-piece spring member in direct coactingengagement with said housing and with said one element intermediate theleg portions thereof whereby said one element is normally urged inwardlyof said housing but is adapted to move outwardly undermagneticattraction and simultaneously torock about said spring member as apivot.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS,

Number Name. Date 2,475,226` Ellis July 5, 1949 2,508,305 Teetor May 16;1950

